arc3aar approaches to arc research
APPROACHES TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
ARC3AAR
2019
Credit points: 30
Subject outline
In this subject students are introduced to the fundamental principles of archaeological research and how research programs are designed and developed. Particular attention is given to practical and technical issues. This involves following through the many decisions involved in designing archaeological projects from initial research design to publication, including the choice of particular field strategies, methods of recording and documentation, and the preparation of reports. This subject is designed for students wishing to make a career in archaeology and is a prerequisite for those wishing to enrol in Archaeology Honours
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points30
Subject Co-ordinatorSusan Lawrence
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites This subject is only available to students enrolled in Bachelor of Archaeology or with subject coordinator's approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Core subject at third-year level in the ABAR - Bachelor of Archaeology.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Archaeology in Practice | Preliminary | Balme, J. & A. Paterson | BLACKWELL PUB., MALDEN, MA 2007 |
| Readings | The Archaeologist's Field Handbook | Preliminary | Burke, H. & C. Smith | Allen and Unwin |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Communicating with other team members and supervising staff about strategies for excavation and recording in the TARDIS
- Activities:
- Oral presentation of on-going excavation strategies to weekly workshops
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Speaking(Speaking)
02. Develop a self-conscious critique of field and laboratory strategies, recording, self and others
- Activities:
- A written critical evaluation in the form of a report on the activities of the team as well as one's own performance
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
03. Develop effective team work skills through clear communication, organisation of tasks and responsibilities
- Activities:
- Develop a research strategy to the excavation of pre-selected squares in the TARDIS resource and write up as a report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
04. Develop project management through allocation of time and funding
- Activities:
- Teams are allocated blocks of time and money to a range of project options, covering the fieldwork, post-excavation and publication stages of the archaeological process
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
05. Understand how research programs are designed and developed
- Activities:
- Write a detailed excavation report on the work carried out in the TARDIS and in other contexts. These will include the explicit descriptions of methods and approaches to that work
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
06. Understand the basic technology and concepts in archaeological research
- Activities:
- Class exercises, practical work, literature review
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
07. Write a major report on excavation and analysis of archaeological materials that are grounded in primary data
- Activities:
- Keep a detailed field note book that describes, tracks & evaluates daily activities on an archaeological excavation and artefact analysis
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSusan Lawrence
Class requirements
Block ModeWeek: 34 - 35
Six 8.0 hours block mode per study period on weekdays during the day from week 34 to week 35 and delivered via face-to-face.
"This subject will be taught intensively Wednesday-Friday in Week 34 (23-25 Aug) and Wednesday - Friday in Week 35 (30 Aug-1 Sept)."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field notebook (2000-word equivalent) | This will consist of the completed context forms, photographs, measured plans, journal and artefact catalogue that comprise the record of the excavation. Students will complete the work in their excavation teams and hand it in at the end of the intensive teaching block. This work will be assessed as a group project. | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 |
| Research design (1,500-word equivalent) | Students are asked to plan how they will carry out the excavation of the part of the site assigned to their group. The assignment will assess the students' abilities to understand the relationships between intellectual aims, excavation methods, and data collection strategies. It will be handed in at the start of the excavation and assessed individually. | 20 | 05, 06, 07 |
| Site report (3,000-word equivalent) | Students must use the primary data recorded in the field notebook to construct a coherent account of the excavation. The assignment will assess students' abilities to analyse and interpret data, to use the data to address a set of research questions, and to place their interpretation in the context of a relevant body of research. The report will be handed in after the mid-semester break and will be assess | 40 | 04, 06, 07 |
| Literature review (1000 words) | Students must provide a synthesis of key texts that consider the justification for archaeological excavation. | 20 | 05, 06 |